Guess? Inc. said Feb. 20 that its co-founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Paul Marciano will take an unpaid leave of absence from the fashion company while it conducts an investigation into recent allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Marciano will relinquish his day-to-day responsibilities until the company's probe is completed, the company said Feb. 20. Marciano has denied the allegations.

"I have pledged my full cooperation to the company, and I have the utmost confidence in our CEO, Victor Herrero, to continue leading the company during this time," Marciano said in the statement.

Guess said it takes any allegations of sexual misconduct "very seriously" and wants "a thorough investigation of all the facts."